UK-based artist Dima Zouchinski released “Eddie” back in August 2024 as part of his album Later Fate. He wrote the song in 2018 and recorded it about half a year before Eddie Van Halen passed away in October 2020, which gives the track an unintentional weight it didn’t originally have. The song blends punk rock, grunge, folk, and blues, pulling inspiration from Van Halen’s music without attempting to replicate Eddie’s guitar style. It was reportedly recorded in the studio of the New York comedy duo Desus & Mero, which is a random but memorable detail. The track came together with the kind of raw energy you’d expect from someone writing a tribute out of genuine admiration rather than obligation.
Musically, this sounds like a trippy mash-up between Van Halen and one of Frank Zappa’s heavier songs, with its zany-sounding guitar parts. The sentiment here is sincere, though. Eddie Van Halen changed rock and roll forever and will remain a hero to many for decades to come. He is a true legend, and homages such as this one help cement that legacy even further (not that it needs help cementing). This is certainly a unique homage and doesn’t attempt to copy Eddie’s sound on the guitar; instead, it has a distinctly psychedelic flavor.
Dima Zouchinski’s approach to the tribute is refreshing because it doesn’t try to be Van Halen or sound like Van Halen. It is shaped by Eddie’s influence but Dima Zouchinski isn’t imitating the sound, it’s more like wearing one’s influences on one’s sleeves kind of thing. For fans of Van Halen or just well-executed punk rock with some bite, “Eddie” is worth a listen.
